Changes will include people being allowed to meet with another household in small numbers outdoors and travelling a short distance for outdoor leisure.

More details on the plans are expected to emerge in the coming days.

According to the latest official figures released on Wednesday, there are now 14,856 people with confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Scotland. Of those who tested positive in Scotland, 2,221 have now died from the deadly virus.

Follow our live blog here as we bring you the latest coronavirus updates throughout the day.

If you would like to get in touch, you can tweet us: @ edinburghlive _), email us: news@edinburghlive.co.uk , leave a comment below, or drop us a message on Facebook .

Couples who live apart will still need to stay two metres apart next week.

Police speak with members of the public as they enjoy the hottest day of the year on May 20, 2020 in Edinburgh (Image: Jeff J Mitchell / Getty)

During today's Scottish Government Daily Briefing, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon was asked about the plan to allow people to meet up with one other household at a time from next Thursday (28 May), which includes couples who live apart and who may not have seen each other for two months due to the coronavirus lockdown.

David Bol from the Herald said: "Can I ask what advice you would have for couples who live separately and who are meeting up for the first time - is it realistic to expect them not to get too close?"

Ms. Sturgeon replied: with couples who live apart obviously I understand the difficulties and challenges of that but in the next phase we will still be asking people in different households who are meeting up to stay two metres apart.

Full story: the five things that won't change when lockdown is eased.

The National Clinical Director for the Scottish Government has confirmed that no matter what happens next Thursday, five things in Scotland "have not changed and will not change"

Speaking at Scotland's daily coronavirus briefing, Professor Jason Leitch confirmed that there are "five basic" rules that Scotland should be following no matter what.

As Nicola Sturgeon prepares to ease some lockdown restrictions such as allowing people to see a family member while outside, Professor Jason Leitch explained that these five rules should become "even more important"

The Chief Constable says his officers went to Portobello yesterday.

He said that after photos appeared in the Daily Record and Edinburgh Live amongst other publications, “a number of our officers went down to speak to people in Portobello.” He said that they were told “you’ve come too early, you’re allowed to exercise but you’re not allowed to spend this much time here.”

13:20KEY EVENT

Nicola Sturgeon expresses her "frustration" over the crowds at Portobello beach

Nicola Sturgeon was asked “as people are already crowding to beaches while the restrictions are in place, what can we do (to prevent this sort of mass gathering) after lockdown is eased?”

There seems to be an increased focus on personal responsibility moving forward, encouraging good, right behaviour amongst members of the public.

NIcola Sturgeon said: “I felt frustrated when I saw those photographs, not because I didn’t understand why people wanted to go to the beach, but I didn’t want the progress we have made to be put in jeopardy. We just have to make sure we don’t go backwards on this or we could end up in lockdown for a lot longer.”

It’s going to take people “doing the right things” and “trying not to do the wrong things.”

She says she’s “desperate to see her parents, like everyone else is” but doesn’t want to inadvertently put them at risk by passing the virus to them.

13:11

Will the public sector bring in a four day week, asks a reporter:

Ms Sturgeon replied:

“Yesterday I mentioned a four day week as an example as the need there is to think differently about how we do things - flexible working is going to be even more important, even into Phase 3 we’re going to be asking everyone, where possible, to work from home.”

12:59Hilary Mitchell

Remember, you can check the latest coronavirus figures for your area using this tool:

12:54KEY EVENT

These are the five things that WILL NOT change after lockdown starts to ease.

Prof Jason Leitch has made it clear that the advice is still to:

1. Regularly and thoroughly wash your hands with soap and water for 20 seconds, or use an alcohol-based gel

2. Keep at least two metres distance from yourself an others, if you’re in a crowded area like a shop, use a face covering.

3. Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth, once the virus is on your hand it can transfer to those areas

4. Make sure you cover your mouth and nose with a bent arm or tissue if you cough or sneeze.

5. Clean all your surfaces regularly with a household cleaner or anti-bacterial wipes. If you touch an infected surface you could possibly catch the virus.

12:50KEY EVENT

Chief Constable: "It’s absolutely vital to stress this morning that the rules have not changed. "

“We have a shared mission to reduce the spread of the virus”, he said.

“Because of the self-discipline demonstrated by the ‘vast majority’ of the people of Scotland, we are now able to move forward into a phase when they are focusing on advising the people of Scotland to do the right thing, to protect the NHS and to save lives.

“We will continue to police with courtesy and fairness, and with the support of our communities.

“It’s absolutely vital to stress this morning that the rules have not changed. Police will, where absolutely necessary, enforce the law. “

12:47KEY EVENT

"Just stick with it for a few more days", says Nicola Sturgeon

12:41

During June, teachers will return for the new term, and begin to plan for a 'new way of learning'

Schools will be reopening with social distancing measures on 11 August, as has been confirmed in previous briefings.

Ms Sturgeon has made it clear that crowding into tourist hotspots will not be tolerated as mass gatherings provide the ideal circumstances for the virus to spread.

12:39KEY EVENT

You will be able to sunbathe from next week - if you sit 2m apart from other people

You will also be able to meet with one household at a time from next Thursday, as long as you follow social distancing guidelines.

Ms Sturgeon says that they will also be lifting the rules about how far you can travel during your daily leisure exercise - up to 5 miles - but that you must use your judgement and “protect those you care about” even if it does mean staying apart for them for longer. You shouldn’t go into people’s houses.

12:37

"None of the changes we've mentioned are yet in place"

Ms Sturgeon has warned the Scottish public of the risks of “us taking our foot off the brake too quickly now and allowing the virus to spread more rapidly again.”

However she has confirmed that the government will start to ease restrictions from next Thursday (28 May) and that the Test and Protect testing and contact tracing scheme will also start then.

12:35KEY EVENT

24 more people have died from COVID-19 in the last 24 hours

Nicola Sturgeon has announced that, as of 9am today, there have been 14969 positive cases in Scotland - an increase of 113 from yesterdayTotal of 1257 people in hospital, 874 with confirmed cases, 383 suspected. This represents a decrease of 61 people in hospitalThere are a total of 50 people in ICU with confirmed or suspected COVID - a decrease of 1In the last 24 hours 24 people have died. Total number of deaths are now 2245 in Scotland

09:08Sian Traynor

Martin Lewis warns of furloughed employees facing redundancy by August